After the six options, the situation is no better than it was a year ago. As predicted by some parties, the committee turned out to be only a way a buying time. The Centre should now decide over this f/pestering issue. It seems to be the Congress style not to solve any issue unless it assumes enormous proportions and a significant loss; both material and human is suffered. The problem of Bhindranwale, the issue of Mizoram are examples. The Centre is prepared to invite and talk to groups which took to violence and secessionism (read ULFA and Hurriyat) but it just can not solve the six decade old Telangana issue.
On the editorial in Times of India - Tread cautiously
The editorial sounds like an armchair analyst’s snobbish account of a misguided agitation by unruly mobs. The historic six decade struggle for separation is totally forgotten, the deaths of hundreds of agitators in 1969 and in 2009 are ignored and more than anything else, the unprecedented support of the people for separation is not considered. The editorial questions the basis for formation of Telangana. There is not one but multiple bases. Be it history, culture, language, development, self-rule; each one of them merits separation. Though Sri Krishna report does not say Telangana is the most backward region, the recent revelation in parliament on 9th Aug 2010, says that out of the 13 identified backward districts in AP, 9 districts are in Telangana. Also, linking the Telangana issue with other demands is just not logical. Each struggle has its own history, character and aspirations. Telangana is not a border state, it neither harbors secessionism nor the basis is religion. It is the most democratic demand of 4 crore people in the present time. The editor suggests for more devolution of powers and constitutional safeguards. One should only read the history of this struggle which is rooted in the failure of these very guarantees given in the past in the form of Gentlemen’s agreement, six-point formula etc. Accepting such guarantees again would not just be a mistake but a sin.
On the editorial in The Hindu - Sagacious prescription
The committee feels the separation of Telangana with Hyderabad as capital, amicably, is a tall order, but what makes the committee think that the people of Telangana can be persuaded to accept a set of guarantees again? This betrays the feeling that Andhras shall not yield and it is the Telangana people who should always compromise. The people of Telangana will not walk into this trap of regional boards, constitutional safeguards etc. People trusted such guarantees in the past, only to be taken for a ride. The Mulki rules were upheld as legal and valid by the Supreme Court. To this, the Jai Andhra movement arose to ensure that either the Mulki rules were scrapped or Andhra was separated. The Govt of India was forced to enact a legislation nullifying all the safeguards given to the people of Telangana. The struggle itself is rooted in the failure of these very guarantees given in the past in the form of Gentlemen’s agreement, six-point formula etc. People of Telangana are gullible but not so foolish to trust such promises again. Neither one should expect that such an option will solve the issue nor the people of Telangana shall buy it.
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